May unemployment at 6.2 percent in San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio-New Braunfels metropolitan area added 900 jobs between April and May and another 12,500 jobs since May 2012, according to labor market figures released by Workforce Solutions Alamo.

Meanwhile, the San Antonio area’s unemployment rate rose to 6.2 percent in May, up from 5.8 percent in April.

Labor market experts attribute the rise in unemployment to more people entering into the workforce.

“This is the time of year we welcome new graduates into the job search market,” says Workforce Solutions Alamo Executive Director Patrick W. Newman. “We are experiencing the usual jump in the jobless rate at this time as the number of people categorically unemployed increases.”

In the loss column, Trade, Transportation and Utilities lost 700 jobs over-the-month but added 2,400 jobs over-the-year. Professional and Business Services lost 400 jobs over-the-month, and 1,700 jobs over-the-year.

Government lost 300 jobs, but still added 2,000 jobs over-the-year.

The largest job losses occurred in the Financial Activities sector with 1,100 jobs over-the-month and 800 jobs over-the-year. The Manufacturing sector also lost 200 jobs over-the-month.

Texas’ unadjusted (actual) unemployment rate rose to 6.5 percent in May, up from 6.1 percent in April. The nation’s unadjusted (actual) unemployment rate increased to 7.3 percent in May, up from 7.1 percent in April.

For all Texas areas, see the Texas Workforce Commission’s monthly report.